Retail Food Safety Council in need of your candidates

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), has announced that the Retail Food Safety Advisory Committee recently transitioned into the Retail Food Safety Advisory Council (RFSAC). Made up of 20 members from across Wisconsin, the council will help promote a culture of food protection in the state, with open communication between government and industry.

The council will also provide recommendations to the DATCP, in identifying opportunities to promote industry education, training and consistency, and to address emerging trends in food protection.

“We believe in strong partnerships and working collaboratively with the industry,” said DATCP secretary Randy Romanski. “The DATCP educates, while we regulate, as we share the industry’s goals of providing safe products for consumers.”

Nominations are accepted for the RFSAC, through Feb. 1, 2025. Seats representing the Wisconsin Grocers Association are sought for the council representative: a small retail food establishment – serving meals operator; small retail food establishment – not serving meals operator; convenience store operator with significant food service; and a meat establishment operator with a retail food service operation.

“The Retail Food Safety Advisory Council is a great example of how industry works with DATCP, to achieve common goals and protect public health,” said Dr. Jay L. E. Ellingson, chief science officer at Kwik Trip, Inc. and RFSAC council chair. “By working together, we promote food safety practices, and have a direct communication and feedback line to government, about opportunities and challenges in retail food.”

Members of the RFSAC serve four-year terms, and the council meets quarterly, per calendar year. Newly appointed members will start their term in early 2025.

A committee of DATCP staff and stakeholder representatives will evaluate nominees, and make recommendations for appointment to the DATCP secretary. Nomination forms should explain why nominees would be valuable additions to the council.

Completed nomination forms should be mailed to: James Kaplanek, DATCP, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708, or emailed to: DATCPDFRSRetailFoodSafetyAdvisory@ wisconsin.gov. wisconsin.gov. For questions, contact Sarah Scanlan, DATCP RFSAC secretary, at 920-889-0091.

Nomination materials are available at datcp.wi.gov For questions, contact Sarah Scanlan, DATCP RFSAC secretary, at 920-889-0091.

Nomination materials are available at datcp.wi.gov.